A PRAYER SERVICE FOR FORGIVENESS AND HEALING

Greeting

Opening
Prayer

Heavenly
Father, source of all life and holiness, just as you wiped the tears of Rachel
who mourned for her children, may all who grieve the loss of children from
abortion be assured of your tender mercy. Enable them to seek your forgiveness and
entrust their children to you with hope in your infinite mercy and
unconditional love. We ask you this through your Son, Christ our Lord, who has
made all things new. Amen.

The disciples approached Jesus and said,"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"He
called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,"Amen, I say to you,
unless you turn and become like children,you will not enter Kingdom of heaven.Whoever becomes humble like this childis the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.And whoever receives one child such as this in my
name receives me.

"See that you do not despise one of these little
ones,for I say to you that their angels in heavenalways look upon the face of
my heavenly Father.What is your opinion?If a man has a hundred sheep and one
of them goes astray,will he leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in
search of the stray?And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more
overit than the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your
heavenly Fatherthat one of these little ones be lost."

The Gospel of the Lord.All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Silent Prayer

Homily

Litany

V. Lord, have mercyR/. Lord, have mercyV. Christ, have mercyR/. Christ, have mercyV. Lord, have mercyR/. Lord, have mercy

I.For women and men suffering frompost-abortion grief

The woman caught in adultery was humiliatedby cruel men;Heal those who suffer of the shame reflected inthe eyes of family or friends.All: Hail Mary….

The woman at the well encountered Christ andthe truth about herself;Give those who suffer the courage to facewhat they have done and beg for God’s mercy.All: Hail Mary….

The rich young man walked away from the Lordfor love of the world;Help those who suffer to renounce everythingfor the sake of the mercy of God.All: Hail Mary….

Saint Peter denied the Lord three times,despite his love;Give those who suffer the courage torepent as Peter did.All: Hail Mary….

The Blessed Virgin Mary wept at the foot ofthe cross of Jesus, her son;Help those who suffer in tears find God’s reconciling love in the sacrament of reconciliation.All: Hail Mary….

II.For doctors and nurses and all who have performed abortions

Saint Luke sought to heal the sick and relieve their suffering;Form doctors in his image of compassion.All: Hail Mary…

Jesus healed the man born blind in order to teach us how to see;Help nurses to see in each of their patients the image of Jesus upon the cross.All: Hail Mary…

Jesus healed the paralytic, lowered through the roof by his friends;Inspire the families and friends of doctors to encourage them to recognize and love the unborn child.All: Hail Mary…

Jesus forgave the repentant thief;Grant mercy to all who renounce the evil work of abortion.All: Hail Mary…

When the man cried out to Jesus from the side of the road, the Lord healed him;Give doctors and nurses the courage to turn to God with all their hearts.All: Hail Mary…

III.For the grace to accept God’s love

The prodigal son returned to his Father when he suffered for his sins;Give the grace of repentance to all who have cooperated in the abortion of a child.All: Hail Mary…

King David repented at hearing Nathan’s words;Grant wise words to preachers that they might move rebellious hearts.All: Hail Mary…

The Lord taught us to pray that we be forgiven as we forgive;Remove all judgment from our hearts, even as he has forgiven us.All: Hail Mary …

Jonah put on sackcloth and ashes and called all to repentance;Give us effective prophets to call us back to God.All: Hail Mary…

The Lord prayed for the forgiveness of those who nailed him to the cross;Give us the grace to love and intercede for even those who have taken the life of a little child.All: Hail Mary…

PetitionsFor the mother who awakens each morning with the memory of abortion fresh in her mind…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For the father whose child died with his cooperation and consent…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For the parents who influenced their child’s choice to abort their grandchild…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For the doctors and nurses who know they were wrong…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For the counselors whose job is to sell abortions…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For scientists and pharmaceutical employees who help manufacture abortifacient drugs…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For those whose work involves promoting abortion and contraceptive use…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For elected leaders who oppose any restriction on the abortion license…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For an end to legal abortion in our nation and for the conversion of all hearts…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

For repentance, healing, and peace…Lord, have mercyChrist, have mercyLord, have mercy

Our Father…

Closing Prayer

Blessing

Departure in Silence

1The
following passages could also be a basis for a homily on the merciful love of
the Lord toward sinners:

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